PLANO, Texas — Helen “Margie” Kelley,
86, longtime resident of Jacksonville, Ark., and in her final years, Plano, Texas, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Margie was born on Monday, December 18, 1933, in Little Rock, Ark., the third child of Luther and Josephine Tompkins. Margie had the pleasure of sharing her life with three older stepbrothers, L.C., Paul, and Joe Tompkins, along with three natural siblings, Ed, Vera and Jim Tompkins.
She was raised in Little Rock, Ark., until middle school, when the Tompkins family moved to Jacksonville. Margie, along with her siblings, attended Jacksonville High School. She cherished her school years and remained in close contact with dear high school friends throughout her life. From cheerleading, to softball and bowling, she loved and played sports with enthusiasm and passed this joy on to her children and grandchildren. During her school years, Margie met the love of her life, the late Fermon “Coy” Kelley, and would marry early.
Margie and Coy began their marriage during the Korean War and had three children, Marsha Kelley Parr, now of Plano, Tex., Brenda Kelley Wells, of Springfield, Mo., and Alan Coy Kelley, of Natchitoches, La. Besides being a wonderful homemaker, Margie supported Coy in the development and operation of their company, Northgate Construction Company, for more than 20 years.
Margie and Coy were lifelong members of Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, before Coy suffered a debilitating stroke. Margie continued to support the church as a volunteer up until the decision, in their later years, to relocate to Plano, Texas, to be closer to family.
After the death of Coy, Margie shared many adventures with family and friends, traveling both domestically and overseas to Europe. Of all her travels, Hawaii and Ireland were her and family’s favorites.
Throughout her life, Margie loved and cared for her family. She is survived by her two siblings, Vera Gray and Jim Tompkins; her sister-in-law, Betty Tompkins; her three children; her six grandchildren - Brandy Michelle Taylor, Cameron and Bridgette Wells, Colton, Conner and Alexandra Kelley - and two great-grandchildren, Max and Molly Taylor. She is preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, L.C., Paul, Joe, and Ed; and her husband, Coy.
She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Services will be held Monday, July 27th, 2020, 3 p.m., at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Rd, North Little Rock, Ark., 72117.
Honorary pallbearers include Alan “Coy” Kelley, Conner Kelley, David Wells, Cameron Wells, Larry Taylor, and Rick Gray. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 220 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Ark. 72076.